Lloyds Medal for Bravery at Sea.

Able Seaman R.H. Percival.
S.S. “Goodwood”. 10th September 1939

British Empire Medal (B.E.M.) Geo. V1.

Robert Hilton
Percival (renamed)

B.E.M.
- L/G 10-6-1941 - “When
the ship was damaged by enemy action the Master was badly wounded. He
ordered the one remaining life-boat to be lowered but the officers
and some of the men lost valuable minutes in trying to help him instead
of getting the boat into the water. The Master therefore told
them to leave him and ordered them all away to the boat.
Able Seaman Percival however, resolutely refused to go and
stood by. All hands were now safely in the boat except the
Master and A/B Percival and, as the vessel was about to take her final
plunge, Percival was ordered tojump overboard. Instead of obeying
this order he tried to carry the Master to the bulwark rail. Four
members of the crew stepped back on board and helped Percival.
They all dropped into the sea together just as the ship sank and were
picked up by a life-boat. Percival, by his selfless devotion,
saved the Master’s life.” SOLD